Coated Cutting Tool Coarse Grain Layer Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coated cutting tools experience reduced wear resistance and shorter tool life when used under severe cutting conditions such as high-speed cutting and high feed machining.

Innovation Solution

A coated cutting tool with a coarse grain coating layer, specifically a composition represented by (Al a Ti b M c )N or (Al d Cr e L f )N, where a, b, c, d, e, and f are within defined atomic ratios, and an average grain diameter exceeding 200 nm, providing enhanced wear resistance and fracture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional coated cutting tool with fine grain coating layer is used, then the coating layer provides good initial hardness, but wear resistance is lowered under severe cutting conditions such as high-speed cutting and high feed machining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidtool life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the grain size parameter of the coating layer from fine grain (conventional) to coarse grain (average grain diameter Lx > 200 nm). This parameter change fundamentally alters the wear mechanism, allowing the coating to resist grain drop and maintain structural integrity under severe cutting conditions, thereby improving both wear resistance and tool life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material composition (Al a Ti b M c )N where M represents W, Y, or Si elements. This composite structure combines the benefits of different elements: Al and Ti provide base hardness and wear resistance, while the added M elements enhance grain stability and prevent grain drop under high-speed cutting and high feed machining conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the grain diameter of the coating layer is increased to exceed 200 nm, then wear resistance is improved, but the coating layer may become more susceptible to fracture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidfracture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the grain size parameter to a specific range (average grain diameter Lx > 200 nm) rather than simply maximizing grain size. This controlled parameter change achieves improved wear resistance while maintaining adequate fracture resistance by preventing both grain drop and excessive brittleness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite material composition (Al a Ti b M c )N with specific atomic ratios (0.30≤a≤0.65, 0.35≤b≤0.70, 0≤c≤0.20, and a+b+c=1) provides a balanced structure where the M elements (W, Y, or Si) strengthen the grain boundaries, enabling the coarse grain structure to resist both wear and fracture simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The coated cutting tool exhibits improved wear resistance and extended tool life due to the optimized composition and grain size of the coating layer, which resists grain drop and maintains structural integrity under cutting forces.

Implementation Method 1

a coated cutting tool comprising a substrate and a coating layer formed on a surface of the substrate, at least one layer of the coating layer being a coarse grain layer having an average grain diameter Lx measured at a direction parallel to an interface between the coating layer and the substrate exceeding 200 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrain boundary strengthening: Grain Boundary Strengthening

Data Source

PatentEP2965842B1Coated cutting tool
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 TUNGALOY CORP
  • EP2965842B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2965842B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2965842B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An object is to provide a coated cutting tool excellent in wear resistance and having a long tool life, and to provide a coated cutting tool which comprises a substrate and a coating layer, and at least one layer of the coating layer is a coarse grain layer wherein an average grain diameter Lx measured at the direction parallel to the interface of the coating layer and the substrate exceeds 200 nm, and a composition of which is represented by (AlaTibMc)X [wherein M represents at least one kind of an element of Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Y, B and Si, a represents an atomic ratio of an Al element based on a total of the Al element, a Ti element and an M element, b represents an atomic ratio of a Ti element based on a total of an Al element, the Ti element and an M element, X represents at least one kind of an element of C, N and O, c represents an atomic ratio of an M element based on a total of an Al element, a Ti element and the M element, and a, b and c each satisfy 0.30≤a≤0.65, 0.35≤b≤0.70, 0≤c≤0.20 and a+b+c=1.], and an average layer thickness of the coarse grain layer is 0.2 to 10 µm.